Iraq is at the bottom of the world… a “failed” government and political quotas that kill competence!
Iraq is at the bottom of the world… a “failed” government and political quotas that kill competence!
2-24-2026
Information / Exclusive…
A recent international report reveals that Iraq remains at the bottom of the global Government Effectiveness Index, which measures the efficiency of executive performance, the quality of public services, and the government’s ability to formulate and implement policies.
According to the report, Iraq tops the list of countries facing significant challenges in improving government services and developing effective policies, ranking among the bottom 15% of countries globally.
The report indicates that one of the main reasons for this decline, according to many experts, is the transformation of executive positions in the Iraqi government into “political quotas,” where officials are appointed based on their party affiliations rather than on merit and experience. This approach has weakened government performance and reduced its capacity to provide basic services to citizens.
While executive positions are viewed globally as opportunities to employ specialized talent to achieve sustainable development, Iraq suffers from a system based on political power-sharing, which hinders development strategies at all levels.
In contrast, reports indicate that the Gulf states perform much better on this index, with scores ranging between 60% and 90% globally. The gap between Iraq and the Gulf average is approximately 50 to 70 percentage points in government effectiveness indicators, reflecting significant disparities in governance styles and the utilization of qualified personnel.
Analysts suggest that change in Iraq requires fundamental reforms to the government structure and the abolition of the political quota system, with a focus on competence and professionalism in selecting executive leaders. Therefore, the Iraqi government needs a radical change in how it manages executive positions, giving opportunities to individuals capable of achieving success, free from narrow partisan interests.
In this regard, political affairs researcher Dr. Ahmed Abdul Karim says, “Popular pressure and the political awareness of some groups demanding public rights for citizens, while preserving existing gains, may be the solution and the decisive factor in bringing about change in the overall political and economic situation, which directly impacts the living and social conditions of citizens.”
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